Going All In

I do not like to jump into cold water. I do not like to ease into cold water. So if you are going to swim in water that is cold you've got to do one or the other. If you've ever been in somewhat cold water you know the only way to do it is to just go all in and jump in. It's just plain torture the other way.

This week at LCC we are having an event called, The Big Splash. We have been promoting it as a great day to come and get baptized and give your life to Jesus Christ. This week I'm finishing up the sermon series talking about why we do baptism the way we do it. The simple answer is because we believe this is what the Bible mandates we do. The other reason, which is also Biblical, is the symbolism.

We practice baptism by immersion, because there is huge symbolism in this. Romans 6 talks about being "buried with Christ." We've all seen a burial service, and we know what it looks like. The whole body goes under the dirt. This is part of the baptism ceremony. The second part of baptism is the resurrection. 1 Peter 3:21 tells us that the power in baptism is the resurrection of Jesus. When we come out of the water it's symbolic of Jesus arising out the grave. Jesus had new life and so do we!

I love the picture of baptism, because it's about going ALL IN. Everyone's hair gets messed up. The ladies' make up gets ruined. Balding men trying to hide their baldness are ratted out with wet hair clinging to their scalp. You're usually dressed in swimwear of some kind. It's a humbling experience, but an amazing one. Your whole body goes in and your whole old life is done away with forever. It's a great picture.

If you need to go all in for Jesus maybe it's time. Maybe it's time to stop making excuses about why you can't do it, and just give in. Maybe it's not quite time and you need some more answers. Maybe you need to search for more truth. That's good, too. Just don't put any of this off any longer.

God is merciful to us everyday to keep giving us opportunities to give our lives to him. But all opportunities run out.